Clyde Maurice Ellis
Clyde M. Ellis, 89, retired drywall contractor, died on Thursday, July 8, 2010, with his family at his side. Services were held August 2, 2010, at the Good Shepherd Episcopal Church, Wichita, KS where Clyde was a member. Services were officiated by the Rev. Andrew Connor, Rector and Deacon Bob Hirst.
He was born on October 21, 1920 in Meade County, KS and was the youngest son of Samuel W. and Maude (Eichelberger) Ellis. His siblings were: Florence (Ellis) Winter; Rhuel; Robert; Homer; Lester; and Louis Ellis. All but one graduated from Meade High School. His parents and all siblings preceded him in death.
His younger years were spent with his family on a farm South of Meade. He attended Pleasant Valley Grade School. He was a member of Elsie Chapel Church. In 1935, the family moved to Arkansas. Later, Clyde came back to Kansas where he worked on a dairy farm, attended Salina High School, graduating from there in 1941.
He married Ilene Harmon on February 8, 1942. To this union, three children were born. A son, Bill (Carol) Ellis of Aurora, CO; daughters, Cherrie Sue (Larry) Byers and Debrah K. (Jerry) Barngrover, both of Wichita, KS.
Her served his earlier years in the Army Air Force during World War II and was in the Radar Division based in London, England, where he received an honorable discharge. Upon returning to the States, he worked in a pre-fabrication housing plant. After the plant sold, he went into Real Estate Sales, but soon went on to build a successful dry-wall business of his own in Wichita, KS; then retiring in 1989. His first wife, Ilene, died in July, 1999, after and extended illness and after they had been happily married for 57 years.
In the year 2000, Clyde and Evelyn (Ford) Evans, who had lost her husband earlier, renewed their friendship from early teenage years and were married on February 14, 2001. They had some very happy years together.
On January 5, 2009, Clyde suffered a severe stroke, which left him paralyzed on the right side. He struggled daily to improve, but to no avail. Clyde was a very hard working, affectionate, and caring person. His even temperament and thoughtful ways made it a pleasure to spend time with him. He had several special interests; some were hunting, fishing, gardening and working with his flowers and more.
Other survivors are his stepdaughter, Jolene (Darry) Smutz, of Sandy Hook, VA and stepson, Richard (Laura) Evans of Jefferson, CO; 8 grandchildren; 4 step-grandchildren; 11 great grandchildren; and 8 step great grandchildren; and numerous nephews, nieces, relatives and friends. A tribute to Clyde might be that most all who met him loved him.